Test Taking Tips

Here are some tips to help when taking tests. Tests make some kids very nervous, even though they know the answers. Today, some standardized tests are mandatory to advance to the next grade. This puts even more pressure on a child. But whether it is a child or an adult, there is something about the quiet, the white paper and blank spaces, the number two pencil and the ticking of the clock that makes our heart race, our palms sweat and our minds draw a blank! So, we all need all the help we can get. The following tips may help the test taker reach his/her maximum potential when taking a test.


1-The night before, get a good night's sleep. Go to bed early. You will perform better if you are wide awake and well rested (so will your brain!)


2-Eat a good breakfast, don't skip it! You wouldn't drive your car with no gasoline. Food is brain power! And if you get hungry during the test, it will be harder for you to concentrate.


3-Listen to or read ALL of the directions BEFORE starting. It won't matter if you get the answer correct, if you didn't do it in the manner the directions stated.


4-Take a deep breath and focus, put everything else out of your mind. Take ONE question at a time, so you don't feel overwhelmed.


5-Work the questions in order. If you come to one you don't know the answer to, then skip it and you can come back to it if you have time. Don't spend too long on it, if you don't know it right away or within a few seconds. Try to make it flow, don't spend too much time on one question.


6-Read the entire question and all of the answers BEFORE you answer. Especially if it says pick all of the correct answers, the BEST answer or one of the answers is "all of the above". These are sort of tricky.


7-Don't be afraid to guess. If you have a feeling that you know the right answer, then use your instinct. Chances are, you are right. And it is better than leaving it blank!


8-Relax. Have confidence in your ability and what you have learned and studied!


9-Use process of elimination. If you don't know the correct answer right away or, you are torn between two answers, then eliminate the ones that you know definitely are NOT the answer, then work your way back.


10-Pay close attention to wording. Some words like NO, NOT, NEVER, and ALWAYS, can change the whole meaning to the question.

This article was downloaded from www.essortment.com/ten-test-taking-tips-39807.html.